Search form

You are here

Forms & Guidance

FORMS

TEMPLATES

GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS

E-LEARNING

Registration & Certification

CertificationCampaigns must submit a Certification by the legal deadline to join the Campaign Finance Program. For unregistered campaigns interested in the Campaign Finance Program, the Certification should be submitted to register the campaign with the CFB in lieu of the Filer Registration.

Political Committee RegistrationPolitical Committees that want to contribute to participating candidates running for a CFB-covered office must submit a Political Committee Registration form to the CFB. Political Committees must re-register every election cycle.Note: Registered CFB candidates within the current four-year election cycle are not required to submit this form, as the FR or Certification form automatically registers your candidate committee.

Small Campaign RegistrationA candidate may register as a small campaign if he/she does not plan to raise or spend more than $1,000. Once registered as a Small Campaign, the candidate is not required to submit disclosure statements to the CFB as long as he/she does not raise or spend more than $1,000. If the campaign ever raises or spends more than $1,000, the candidate must submit a complete Filer Registration or Certification to the CFB, and file itemized disclosure statements covering all financial activity.

Transition and Inauguration Entities (TIE)Newly elected officials who wish to raise or spend funds related to the transition and/or inauguration into office must open a Transition and Inauguration Entity (TIE) bank account and register the TIE with the CFB.

Update Your Campaign Information

Change of Bank AccountSubmit the Change of Bank Account form If you are amending your committee bank account or adding any new accounts.

Change of Contact InformationSubmit the Change of Contact Information form if there is any change to the candidate, committee, treasurer, or campaign liaison’s address, phone number, and/or email address. This form can also be used to add a new or additional campaign manager, consultant, or liaison in lieu of resubmitted the FR.

Rescission of CertificationSubmit the Rescission of Certification if you wish to rescind your Certification, and no longer be a program participant in the matching funds program.

Contribution Cards

For monetary contributions, have the contributor fill out and sign a contribution card. The CFB-provided template includes all of the contributor’s information and verification statements required by the Act & Rules.

Contribution Card for Segregated Bank Account Use this contribution card if you are soliciting contributions to pay debts from previous election cycles, or for use other than by your committee for the current election cycle. You must disclose your Segregated Bank Account with the CFB prior to accepting any contributions of this type.

In-Kind Contribution Card Use the in-kind contribution card to collect information on goods or services donated to your campaign free of charge or at a discount that is not available to the general public. You may get a letter or other form of documentation detailing the same information from the contributor in lieu of using this card.Note: You must also attach documentation substantiating the fair market value of the in-kind contribution.

Documentation for Your Records

At any point, the CFB may request copies of these documents.

Advance Repayment Voucher Use the Advance Repayment Voucher if you need to repay an advance (e.g., to reimburse a campaign staffer for a campaign expense paid out of pocket).

Campaign Documentation Labels Organize your campaign’s documentation with these labels that were specifically designed in accordance with CFB best practices. You can print them on Avery 5163 Template Labels or use them as guidance for your e-files.

C-SMART Transaction IDs are required on any documentation that is submitted to the CFB related to that transaction. Affix these labels on your documentation in order to label them with the transaction ID. If you require more labels, you may print more using Avery Template 5167.

Intermediary Statement Submit an Intermediary Statement for each individual/entity who solicits contributions for your campaign. A form should also be submitted for anyone who delivers (or directs someone to deliver) contributions to your campaign or fundraising agent.Note: You must also obtain documentation for each contribution an intermediary solicits or delivers.

Loan Agreement If your campaign chooses to take out a loan to cover expenses, the lender and the campaign must complete a loan agreement.

Subcontractor Disclosure Vendors must fill out a Subcontractor Disclosure form to disclose any individual or entity they have hired to perform work contracted between them and your campaign.

Time Sheet – Daily Use the Daily Time Sheet to document hours, duties, and wages of single-day or part-time campaign employees.

Time Sheet – Weekly Use the Weekly Time Sheet to document hours, duties, and wages of part-time and full-time campaign employees.

Transfer Authorization Card If your campaign intends to transfer funds, first obtain a list of all contributions received by the transferor committee to determine which contributions can be transferred. Then have the contributor complete a Transfer Authorization Card. The contribution must be from their personal funds and cannot be reimbursed in any manner.

Invalid Matching Claims Letters

A Statement Review is issued to each campaign after the CFB reviews a disclosure statement. If your campaign is seeking public matching funds, a Statement Review provides a list of matching claims found to be invalid and the reason. The following letter templates aim to assist campaigns in obtaining the necessary contributor information to address some Invalid Matching Claims (IMC).

The following guidance documents were created to provide campaigns with supplemental information on specific campaign-related topics. They do not replace or supersede the Campaign Finance Act, CFB Rules, or Handbook. If you have additional questions, contact your Candidate Services liaison.

Consultant and Vendor GuideThe CFB created this guide to demonstrate best practices for the consultants and vendors that regularly work for campaigns. Use the sections in the guide to find details on the types of documentation that campaigns will request, as well as links to template and sample documents.

Invalid Matching Claims (IMC) CodesThe following codes are used by staff auditors when evaluating a candidate’s matching funds claims. If a claim is found to violate CFB requirements, the auditor will label the violation with one of these codes. Candidates will have an opportunity to review and correct any violations if identified.

Political Consultants Who Work for Both Candidates and Independent SpendersPolitical consultants must be aware of potential campaign finance violations that may arise for them and their clients when they choose to work for both candidates and independent spenders simultaneously. Doing work for both types of clients can lead to violations of the Act and Rules by candidates, independent spenders, and consultants. This guidance is to provide information to consultants on when their work may cause issues for their clients and themselves.

Runoff ElectionA runoff election will occur when no candidates running for citywide office receives at least 40% of the vote in the primary election. Campaigns are allowed to raise money for a runoff election once they demonstrate to the CFB that a runoff election is reasonably anticipated.

Segregated Bank AccountsIf you want to contribute to other political/candidate committees or pay debt from a previous election, you can avoid a public funds deduction by opening and fundraising into a separate bank.

Step-by-Step Guide to Filing DayThe purpose of this checklist is to guide campaigns through Filing Day procedures. Review these steps prior to submitting a disclosure statement.

Transfers – Type 1 & 2aType 1 transfers occur between a political party committee and a candidate committee. Type 2a transfers occur between two committees supporting the same candidate in the same election.

Transfers – Type 2bType 2b transfers occur between two committees supporting the same candidate in different elections.

New to the CFB Web Series – Deciding to RunThe first video in our five-part New to the CFB web series goes over the decision making process for running for city office for the first time, and the factors candidates may want to consider before committing to the election process.

New to the CFB Web Series – Opening your CommitteeThe third video in our five-part New to the CFB web series describes the administrative steps candidates need to take in order to register their campaign with the CFB, and the resources that the CFB provides to understand CFB compliance.

New to the CFB Web Series – Raising and Spending MoneyThe fifth video in our five-part New to the CFB web series goes over basic guidelines about raising and spending money under CFB campaign finance regulations. This video only touches on general aspects of compliance, so please be sure to follow up your viewing by reading the CFB’s Campaign Finance Handbook, and registering for a Compliance & C-SMART training.

Introduction to Statement ReviewsThis webinar provides campaigns with an overview of what a statement review is, common reports that may be included, and best practices to help campaigns respond timely and completely.

Meet NYC Votes Contribute (Promotional)Are you planning on accepting credit card contributions? Get a brief overview of NYC Votes Contribute (nycvotes.org) to see how this CFB-created credit card contribution tool will enhance your campaign’s current fundraising.

NYC Votes Contribute OrientationThis presentation is aimed at CFB-registered campaigns and covers NYC Votes Contribute, a tool campaigns can use to collect credit card contributions online. It gives an overview of the tool, including how to sign up and general compliance and C-SMART instructions.

An Introduction to Compliance VisitsThis presentation will help prepare you for a compliance visit with the CFB. Learn what to expect, what to bring, and other information that will ensure a productive visit.